Financials - Q4FY15
Net sales stood at Rs.6,135 crore as compared to Rs.5,832 crore in the corresponding period of the previous year. Profit before Interest, Depreciation and Tax is Rs.1,364 crore as against Rs.1,329 crore. Profit after Tax is Rs.615 crore (which includes additional provision of Rs.50 crore for deferred tax due to increase in surcharge on income tax) compared to Rs.838 crore (including tax provision reversal related to earlier years - Rs.96 crore).

On a consolidated basis, net sales stood at Rs.6,518 crore as compared to Rs.6,186 crore in the corresponding period of the previous year. Profit before Interest, Depreciation and Tax is Rs.1,437 crore and Profit after Tax is Rs.657 crore vis-a-vis Rs.1,389 crore and Rs.862 crore respectively.

The combined cement and clinker sales of grey cement (for Indian operations) is 11.81 MMT (12.18 MMT), while for white cement and wall care putty it is 3.52 LMT (3.28 LMT).

During the quarter, the company commissioned:

2 mtpa clinkerisation plant at Shambupura, Rajasthan

10 MW waste heat recovery system at Shambupura, Rajasthan and

6 MW waste heat recovery system at Malkhed, Karnataka

the benefits of which will be realised in the coming years.

Financials - FY15
Net sales at Rs.22,656 crore was 13 per cent higher than Rs.20,078 crore in the corresponding period of the previous year. Profit before Interest, Depreciation and Tax is Rs.4,569 crore as against Rs.4,147 crore. Profit after Tax is Rs.2,015 crore (which includes additional provision of Rs.50 crore for deferred tax due to increase in surcharge on income tax) as compared to Rs.2,144 crore (including tax provision reversal related to earlier years - Rs.96 crore) in FY14.

On a consolidated basis, net sales stood at Rs.24,065 crore as compared to Rs.21,443 crore in the corresponding period of the previous year. Profit before Interest, Depreciation and Tax is Rs.4,777 crore and Profit after Tax is Rs.2,102 crore vis-a-vis Rs.4,358 crore and Rs.2,213 crore respectively.

The combined cement and clinker sales of grey cement (for Indian operations) is 44.85 MMT (41.47 MMT), while for white cement and wall care putty it is 12.25 LMT (11.41 LMT).

Although there was some relief on account of softening in coal prices, the cost of limestone and other input materials continued to remain high, putting pressure on margins. The company continues to optimise its fuel mix and other operating costs.

Dividend
The Board of Directors at their meeting held today recommended a dividend of 90 per cent, at the rate of Rs.9 per share of face value of Rs.10 each aggregating Rs.246.96 crore. The company will absorb the Corporate Tax on dividend amounting to Rs.50.28 crore, resulting in a total payout of Rs.297.24 crore.

Corporate developments
The company completed the acquisition of the Gujarat units of Jaypee Cement Corporation Limited (“JCCL”), comprising an integrated unit at Sewagram and a grinding unit at Wanakbori, with a combined capacity of 4.8 mtpa, at an enterprise value of Rs.3,800 crore, besides the actual net working capital at closing, with effect from 12 June 2014.

The Board of Directors have earlier approved the acquisition of the cement units of Jaiprakash Associates Limited (JAL) situated at Bela and Sidhi in Madhya Pradesh, having a capacity of 4.9 mtpa together with a 180 MW TPP at an enterprise value of Rs.5,325 crore. The transaction, being carried out by way of a Scheme of Arrangement in terms of the provisions of the Companies Act, 1956, is subject to the approval of the shareholders and creditors of both the companies and sanction by the high courts. The Competition Commission of India has already approved the transaction.

With the acquisition of the cement units in Gujarat and the company’s routine expansion plans, the cement capacity in India stand raised to 60.2 mtpa.

The company had participated in the e-auction conducted by the Central Government for allocation of coal blocks which had earlier been cancelled by the Supreme Court of India. The company has been awarded the Bicharpur coal block situated in Madhya Pradesh. This coal block provides fuel security for the company’s plants within the vicinity of the mines, for a period of 30 years with its reserves of 29.12 MMT of coal.

Capex
In addition to the projects commissioned during Q4FY15, the following projects have also been commissioned during the year:

25 MW thermal power plant at Malkhed, Karnataka

25 MW thermal power plant at Tadipatri, Andhra Pradesh

6.5 MW waste heat recovery system at Awarpur, Maharashtra

1.4 mtpa cement mill at Rajashree Cement, Karnataka.

Outlook
With the government’s focus on development of the infrastructure and housing sector, the company is positioned across the country to meet the rise in demand and participate in the next phase of growth in the country.